Super Doubles Are Back at Kmart

Kmart is doubling coupons again this week, reportedly for the last time in 2009. Every time they do "Super Doubles," it kicks off an internal argument for me:

Me 1: Hey, you could get free hand soap! We need hand soap!

Me 2: But I haaate going to Kmart. You know what Rainman said, Kmart sucks!

Me 1: Free stuff! Cheap stuff!

Me 2: But, I always end up spending like 3 hours digging through my coupons before I go. And then half the stuff I'm looking for, they're either out of or my local store doesn't carry it at all.

This week, I'm going through the same internal struggle. Sure, Super Doubles have paid off for me, but at what cost in time and hassle? And I'm not the only bargain shopper who has had major problems with Kmart Super Doubles.

Here are some of the problems I've had with Super Doubles:

1. Cashier error -- failing to scan some coupons, attaching the coupons to the wrong items resulting in a higher total.

2. Find the biggest, best Kmart you can. Usually I don't like to drive out of my way to get a deal. But if you are investing the time to gather up your best coupons, it'll be a lot less frustrating if you drive to a Kmart that is likely to have the things you want in stock, process your coupons properly, and give you good customer service if problems arise. Does such a Kmart exist? I dunno.

3. Call your chosen Kmart before heading out to make sure they're participating. Use the store locator to get their number.

3. Review the official AND UNOFFICIAL Super Doubles rules so you know what to expect. Like, officially there's a limit of 10 double coupons, but unofficially stores don't all count them.

4. Avoid Catalina deals. Not everyone will agree on this one. Indeed, on my first Super Doubles attempt, there was a Catalina deal that printed $2 coupons that would double to $4, allowing me to get all kinds of merchandise for free. It worked like a charm. HOWEVER, the next time I tried a Catalina deal at Kmart, none of the registers I approached had working printers and I had to send away for my coupons. I'm still waiting 6 weeks later and don't know if I'll ever get them. And if I do, I'll have to go BACK to Kmart to spend them.

5. Sweeten the deal (non-doubling) high value coupons. Use the $5/$50 coupon from the back of today's flyer, or sign up online for similar coupons, print the free item coupons (thanks Money Saving Mom), and combine store coupons with manufacturers coupons on toys, as Abundant Food Savings explains (scroll down in this post to the Toys section).

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What a sad lonely shopping cart! Thanks for the link Carrie and I feel the same way as you do. The cashiers at my store make me wonder if I am on a hidden camera show they are so appallingly rude. I have to get my game face on and battle gear ready to hit doubles.

I've tried the SuperDoubles and plenty of other promos (usually Catalina deals) at KMart, and it is astounding how badly it goes. The cashiers are difficult, uninformed, and occasionally rude. The manager tries to help but has no idea how Catalina promos work. I'm sure this is not true at ALL Kmarts, but in my town it's not worth shopping there. I hope that others are doing better.

Haha. I used to be a coupon stickler, but gave that up for some of these same reasons. Sometimes you really end up working harder to save that extra 5 cents on TP. We had a recent post on tips for saving cash at the grocery store that might make it easier than coupons (http://tiny.cc/umYBi). I had never heard of this KMart promotion, might have to get back in the habit...

The Kmart stores in my area now say that in order to get double coupon savings you have to spend $25 in grocery and pharmacy. Does grocery mean food items only, or does that include soap and toiletries? It is confusing and they also did not have many items I had coupons for. Too many stipulations for me...